October 12, 2005
No. 185
International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today announced that Canada will step up
efforts to bring the Canada-Russia bilateral negotiations on Russia’s accession to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) to a successful conclusion before the end of 2005.
“We should, we must and we will work toward an agreement on Russia’s accession to
the WTO by mid-December,” said Minister Peterson. “We have asked negotiators to
aggressively work together in areas where the most work remains to be done, including
market access.”
Minister Peterson was in Moscow today to meet with key Russian economic and trade
ministers and to attend the inaugural meeting of the Canada-Russia Business Council
(CRBC), announced in October 2004 by Prime Minister Paul Martin and Russian
President Vladimir Putin.
In his address to the CRBC, Minister Peterson said that Canada wants to double its
exports to Russia within the next three years. Canada’s exports to Russia this year are
50 percent higher than last year’s, and are expected to exceed $600 million.
Following a bilateral meeting, Minister Peterson invited his Russian international trade
counterpart, German Gref, to Canada. The ministers also discussed the issue of
bilateral investment and trade irritants, including concerns over the eviction of the
Canadian joint venture partner in the Aerostar Hotel.
“As with any trade relationship, there are strengths but also irritants,” said Minister
Peterson. “I raised the challenges surrounding the Aerostar Hotel. We look forward to
the results of the Russian Prosecutor General’s investigation. Justice must be delivered
for our Canadian investors.”
Minister Peterson said that Canada wants to help build Russia’s economic future,
including supporting Russia’s accession to the WTO.
Bilateral talks on Russia’s accession to the WTO continued this week in Moscow,
resulting in substantive progress. Securing market access for Canadian agricultural
products remains one of the outstanding issues in these negotiations.
In a separate meeting with Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev, Minister Peterson
stated that Canada is looking forward to the next meeting of the Canada-Russia
Intergovernmental Economic Commission (IEC) at the beginning of 2006. The IEC is a
bilateral initiative to promote trade and economic relations between Canada and the
Russian Federation, and also serves as a key forum for the resolution of irritants facing
companies.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Jacqueline LaRocque
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
